There’s a limited number of gaming headsets that work flawlessly with Xbox consoles due to the consoles’ proprietary Xbox Wireless connectivity. The newly released Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max headset is a welcome addition to the list of compatible wireless Xbox headsets, and in this article, we’ll be comparing it to the SteelSeries Arctis 9X. Which of these gaming headsets should you buy if you play primarily on Xbox? Read on to find out.
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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max vs Arctis 9X Comparison Chart
Design and Comfort
Both the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max and SteelSeries Arctis 9X are well-built, but the latter is more comfortable.
Aside from sound quality, comfort is one of the main factors that you should consider when getting a gaming headset. There’s no point in a gaming headset that sounds phenomenal if it causes discomfort. In this area, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X has the advantage over the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max since it has a more relaxed fit that won’t clamp on your head too much.
That said, both headsets have more than enough padding on the ear cups and the headband for comfort. They are adjustable as well to fit most head sizes.
As for build quality, the two feature mostly plastic builds but with metal frames. They are sturdy and durable enough for normal everyday use and there’s no glaring structural weak points on either headsets.
Looks-wise, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max and SteelSeries Arctis 9X no doubt have a gaming look. But they are not as over-the-top as other gaming headsets that look like toys. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has an all-black or all-blue design with metal accents while the SteelSeries Arctis 9X has a black and metal design with green accents which represent the Xbox color scheme.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Turle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is a wireless only gaming headset that offers excellent compatibility while the SteelSeries Arctis 9X offers both wireless and analog connectivity but limited compatibility.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max offers wireless connectivity via the included USB dongle. The USB dongle has a switch for Xbox and USB wireless, so it offers excellent compatibility as it also connects wirelessly to PlayStation consoles, the Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity so you can pair it with your iOS or Android smartphone.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X, on the other hand, offers both wired and wireless connectivity, but its wireless mode is limited to Xbox only and if you want to connect it to a PC, you can do so via Bluetooth or by purchasing the Xbox Wireless adapter separately. It connects to Xbox consoles without the need of a USB dongle and it also offers Bluetooth connectivity with BT-enabled devices such as your smartphone.
You can use it on PlayStation consoles and the Nintendo Switch, but only with a wired connection. The wired connection disable the microphone, though, so you won’t have access to voice chat.
Performance
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has a V-shaped sound with overemphasized bass and treble while the SteelSeries Arctis 9X has a neutral sound profile.
When it comes to sound, these two gaming headsets offer vastly different experiences. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 has a more exciting sound commonly referred to as V-shaped—Its bass and treble are overemphasized. That said, the bass is not overwhelming and it won’t muddy the whole sound, however, the treble can be a bit harsh and shrill. The mid-range is decently accurate so you’ll be able to hear dialogue clearly.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X, in contrast, has a more neutral sound so the treble range is pleasant sounding and the mid-range is clear and crisp. However, it is a bit lacking in the low-bass, so games with many action scenes with explosions and the like can be a bit underwhelming.
As for the microphones, the two offer similar performance. You will sound clear and detailed to people on the other end. However, noise handling is not the best on either as they aren’t capable of blocking out environmental noise completely.
Battery life is excellent with these two gaming headsets, but the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max easily takes the cake here with its 40+ hour battery life. The SteelSeries Arctis 9X offers 20+ hours of battery life.
Verdict
If you game on multiple platforms, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is the smarter pick, but if you only game on Xbox, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X might be better, especially if you prefer a more neutral sounding pair of headphones.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max
Offers better compatibility across gaming platforms with a V-shaped sound
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Xbox Headset
Offers better comfort and a more neutral sound profile
These gaming headsets work great on Xbox consoles since they are designed specifically for them. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is great for those that play games on multiple platforms since it offers excellent compatibility. With its V-shaped sound, action-heavy games are brought to life. On top of that, it has a long battery life. Meanwhile, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is better suited for those that play exclusively on their Xbox console. It can be used with other consoles, but the microphone will be disabled, so you won’t be able to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
FAQs
Yes, it supports surround sound on Xbox.
Yes, it supports Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
No, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max does not have a 3.5mm jack.
Yes, but only with a wired connection, so you’ll lose its voice chat function.